What is an Au Pair?
Meaning “on par” or “equal” in French, au pair is a term for a childcare provider who lives with a host family as part of an international exchange program.
Au pairs are young international visitors who travel to the United States on a J-1 Visitor Exchange Visa to acquire a better understanding and appreciation of American life while living with an American family and caring for their young children.
What to Expect from Hosting an Au Pair
Our au pairs offer dependable, live-in childcare assistance and a cultural exchange experience the whole family can enjoy!
To become an au pair, candidates must meet some basic au pair program requirements, such as:
- 18 – 26 years old
- At least 200 hours of recent childcare experience
- Not a U.S. citizen (au pairs come from all over the world!)
- Interested in cultural exchange
- Provide up to 45 hours of weekly childcare assistance, depending on your program of choice
The typical duties of an au pair will vary depending on each family’s unique needs. However, some common au pair responsibilities include:
- Preparing meals for the children
- Cleaning up the kitchen after the children eat
- Waking the children
- Dressing infants and toddlers
- Driving the children to and from school or appointments
See Who’s Ready to Join Your Family
Gabrielle, 22
From Brazil
Gaia, 22
From Italy
Lura, 27
From Mozambique